Jacqueline Rodriguez was born with a rare facial tumour that means she’s unable to speak or eat without help

But, now at the age of 16, the teenager has defied the odds and is set to graduate from college next year.

She was diagnosed with lymphatic malformations, an extremely rare condition that has caused large tumours in her cheeks, tongue and chest.

Undeterred by having to speak through an iPad and eat through a formula tube, the brave teen from California takes regular guitar lessons, plays tennis for a local club and has high hopes to study nursing at Stanford University.

Jacqueline said: “People normally stare at me and point a lot. People do say mean things.